By Jack Marshall
CRICKET LEGEND Alec Stewart OBE, the former Surrey and England batsman, visited Mossley Hollins High School in his role as an ambassador for Yorkshire Bank to chat with and coach students at the school.
England’s all-time record Test appearance-maker took time out of his busy schedule as director of cricket with Surrey when they played Lancashire at Old Trafford to travel to the school to treat the lucky students to a coaching master-class.
Alec, one of the greatest players to have played the game for England, and the students participated in a quick game of cricket as the former international wicketkeeper offered pointers, passing on invaluable knowledge to the keen cricketers.
After a picture with the delighted students Alec, the 1993 Wisden Cricketer of the Year, signed memorabilia and fielded an array of excellent questions that the students had written, offering the children a glimpse into the life and career of a top-level international sportsman.
He told them the best cricketers he had played against were Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara and one of his inspirations was Alan Knott, the legendary England wicketkeeper.
Stuart Marshall, Mossley Hollins headteacher, said “Our students thoroughly enjoyed the day. Alec was very encouraging and passed on a lot of useful messages to our aspiring cricketers.”
Drew Duncan, executive headteacher at Droylsden Academy and Mossley Hollins High School, added: “It was a real privilege for the junior cricketers at the schools to have the opportunity to work with Alec. His reputation as a player and as a coach precedes him. The students were thrilled to be able to train with him.”
Mossley Hollins would like to thank school governor Ian Hardman, who works for the Yorkshire Bank and who arranged the visit.
The Mossley Hollins students that took part were Callum Schofield, Eric Walters, Will Hardman, Xavier Burton, Matthew Val, Matthew Smith, Sam Nuttal, Owen Wright, Morgan Kirk, Noah Vink, Ted Homer, Mario Cinquanti, George Chappell, Tom White, Ciaran McQuillan, Ryan Winterbottom, Nathan Gallagher, Adam Unwin, Joseph Val, Brodi Oldham, Jack Wilson, Joshua Platt.
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